Mr. Levi Walton, a Special Education Instructional Assistant at Irving Dual Language Elementary School.
"Mr. Levi works very hard to support our students. He cares for them, cheers them on, and helps them achieve their best. He is committed to them and our school. We are grateful to have him here at Irving. Congratulations, Mr. Levi!"
Kaitlin Ballard, a media assistant at Morningside STEM Elementary School.
"Kaitlin always goes above and beyond to make sure students are learning library skills and making library a fun place to be. She is creative and always thinking of new ways to make lessons engaging. We appreciate Kaitlin on our Eagle team!"
Jenny Pry, a fifth-grade teacher at Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary School.
"Mrs. Pry is an exceptional fifth -grade teacher whose kindness and professionalism shines through in everything she does. She is incredibly patient and consistently encourages her students to do their very best, creating a classroom environment where children feel supported, confident, and valued. Her students truly love her because she leads with warms, understanding, and genuine care. Mrs. Pry plans fun, engaging activities that make learning exciting and meaningful. It is clear that she has a true love for children and teaching. She is especially outstanding in math instruction and was recognized last year for achieving the highest math scores, a testament to her dedication and skill. Mrs. Pry is a remarkable educator who makes a lasting, positive impact on her students every day.
Thank you, Mrs. Pry, for all you do! We are grateful to have you at Loess Hills!"
Megan Bishop, a fourth-grade teacher at Leeds Elementary School.
"Ms. Bishop is an exceptional educator whose dedication and work ethic make her a valuable member of our school community. She consistently goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her students and looks for meaningful ways to enhance instruction.
This year, Ms. Bishop has fully embraced new instructional tools by integrating iPads and digital pens into her classroom, ensuring students are actively engaged and that these resources are used to their fullest potential. She has also expanded her use of Canvas, creating organized, accessible, and engaging learning experiences for her students.
Ms. Bishop’s creativity and intentionality consistently shine in the classroom. She is thoughtful in her instructional choices and designs learning experiences that ensure students feel included, engaged, and excited about learning. Her student-centered approach and strong attention to detail create meaningful, supportive learning environments where students can thrive.
In addition to her instructional strengths, Ms. Bishop holds high expectations for her students and consistently supports them in meeting those expectations. She is a collaborative teammate who willingly shares resources, supports colleagues, and inspires those around her through her professionalism and commitment.
We are grateful for Ms. Bishop and the positive impact she has on her students, colleagues, and school community.
Congratulations, Megan!"
Rosana DeArcos, a third-grade teacher at Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School.
"Ms. DeArcos has created a positive classroom culture for her students. Her classroom is well organized and structured, which allows students to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn each day. She provides high-quality instruction and is intentional in meeting the academic needs of all learners. Ms. DeArcos is always willing to help others and goes above and beyond to support her colleagues. She is incredibly caring and builds strong relationships with both students and staff. Ms. DeArcos is a true team player who makes our school a better place."
John Levasseur, a bus driver in transportation.
John received the high praise below for his dedication to his position and the school district. He ensures the students receive the best service.
"I’m writing to share some high praise for our bus driver, who drove the East High Wrestling team to our recent meet at Marshalltown. As you know, transporting a large group of high school athletes—especially during the intensity of wrestling season—can be a challenge. However, he made the entire trip seamless."
Congratulations, John!
Benjamin Hunnel, an English teacher at West High School.
"Mr. Benjamin Hunnel exemplifies what it means to be W.E.S.T. He encourages his students to seek out reading and share what they have read with him and others. He helps students' complete college applications and daily assignments. He spends many hours creating fun and engaging lessons for students to learn our English III and English IV content.
Mr. Hunnel spends his free time monitoring after-school activities to provide a safe and fun experience for students to play Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and participate in Esports. Congratulations for being our West High School's staff member of the month!"
Joey Skoff, an access teacher at North Middle School.
"Joey Skoff has worked to build meaningful, supportive relationships with students in his Access sections and works with small groups of students to improve academic confidence, consistency, and achievement. Through his individualized support, targeted interventions, and commitment to student success, his learners have made notable progress toward their IEP reading and math goals. He has created a classroom environment where students feel valued and empowered to grow. We are grateful for his hard work, professionalism, and the positive difference he makes each day. Congratulations, Joey!"
Lisa Hamerlinck, a seventh-grade counselor at East Middle School.
"Mrs. Hamerlinck consistently goes above and beyond to support students' academic, emotional, and personal needs. Her compassion, patience and dedication make a meaningful difference in our school community and students always feel heard, supported and encouraged because of her. Congratulations, Mrs. Hammerlinck!"
Claire McElroy, a first-grade teacher at Irving Dual Language Elementary School.
"Ms. McElroy has stepped into a leadership role on our building leadership team and has positively advocated for colleague and student needs. She communicates frequently with student families, and connects well with others through sharing her knowledge and humor. We're so grateful to have her on our team!"
Andrew Markowsky, a kindergarten teacher at Bryant Elementary School.
Staci Fagan said the following about Andrew: "Mr. M does a great job with his kindergarten students. When I can hear him teaching, he is always using a calm voice and is positive. He does a great job engaging his students and building relationships with his students. When he is in the hallway on duty, he is having meaningful conversations and engaging with students in the morning. He truly demonstrates expectations for students and is an overall joy to have on our team!"
Jacob Mattoon, a teacher at East High School.
"Jacob Mattoon is supportive of the students at East High. He connects with them, is admired by them, and has a great sense of humor in the classroom. Jacob has taken on an immense workload for the science department this year with numerous preps and ELL responsibilities, while also being an active member of the building leadership team and taking a lead on the Securly Team. Congratulations Mr. Mattoon, you are an amazing teacher and your hard work does not go unnoticed!"
Melissa Holsinger, an Intermediate Hearing Officer at the Sioux City Career Academy.
"In January, the Sioux City Community School District, in collaboration with the team at the Career Academy, honors Melissa Holsinger as their staff of the month! Ms. Holsinger is an amazingly positive team member! She has important conversations with our students and parents from every grade level, helping them problem solve for a variety of issues and she does so with grace, dignity, and ALWAYS a smile on her face. She is always willing to lend a hand and help out with any task. We are lucky to have her as a part of our team!"
Lilly Lower, Dawn Oleson, Rachel Oleson, Rochelle Sitzman and Natalie Cloud, kindergarten teachers at Perry Creek Elementary School.
"Thank you to our wonderful Kindergarten team. You are being recognized for your outstanding teamwork, flexibility, and constant willingness to step in and support one another. This year has brought many challenges, and through it all you have remained patient, resilient, and student-focused.
Your commitment to building strong foundations for our youngest learners does not go unnoticed. You create classrooms where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. The care, dedication, and collaboration you show each day make a lasting impact on both students and families.
We are truly grateful for your perseverance, professionalism, and heart for kids. Thank you for everything you do to make Perry Creek Elementary a welcoming and successful place for our students to grow."
Zuleymi Estrada, an instructional assistant at Perry Creek Elementary School
"Zuleymi consistently goes above and beyond in supporting our students and staff. Zuleymi builds strong, trusting relationships with students and approaches each day with patience, kindness, and a genuine commitment to helping every child succeed.
We are especially appreciative of her flexibility and understanding. Zuleymi has taken on a different schedule almost daily and often with little notice. She has done so with a positive attitude and willingness to help wherever she is needed. She is always willing to step in, adjust, and do whatever is asked of her, without hesitation.
Zuleymi’s adaptability, reliability, and calm presence make a meaningful difference in our building. Her dedication does not go unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful for the support she provides to our students and team each day."
Staci Fagan, an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teacher in the Sioux City Community Schools Preschool Program.
"Staci has been nominated for her positive influence on the preschool program. Staci serves on the leadership team. Staci is always willing to assist her colleagues and shares ideas that are meaningful and helpful. We're grateful to have Staci on our team!"
Michelle Lewis, a teacher at West Middle School
"Congratulations to Mrs. Lewis! Michelle Lewis is the kind of educator others aspire to become. She makes every student feel genuinely valued, and her warmth and ease in connecting with kids create meaningful moments every day. She listens without judgment, offers thoughtful guidance, and reminds us that our work matters. Her passion for teaching, her devotion to students, and her uplifting presence strengthen our entire school community. Michelle truly deserves every recognition she receives, including Staff Member of the Month."
Seaniece Heilman, board secretary and administrative assistant at the Educational Service Center.
Seaniece was recognized for her professionalism, efficiency, and friendliness to everyone she meets.
Colleagues said the following: "Seaniece has gone above and beyond to keep everything moving forward. She's extremely efficient and always on top of what needs to be done for the Board report. She grants grace when waiting for information, and she is always pleasant and professional in any interaction I have had with her. She is so deserving of recognition for a job well done."
Thank you, Seaniece, for everything you do. You have a big job supporting both district leadership and the Board. We appreciate you!
Molly Pendergast, Cindy Davis, Karen Bauer, Noah Rubida, Ed Cote and Shelby Robb, the crossing guard crew at Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary School.
"This team keeps our students and families safe by covering crossing guard duties each day. Regardless of weather (rain, snow, freezing cold or burning hot) these dependable staff show up with smiles on to keep traffic flowing and students smiling! We're so grateful for this team! Congratulations!"